Loading...

Space Experiment Module (SEM) - 10.21.14

Science Objectives for EveryoneThe Space Experiment Module (SEM) introduces students to the concept of performing space based research on ISS. SEM provides students with the opportunity to conduct their own research on the effects of microgravity, radiation and space flight on various materials.

Science Results for Everyone

What would you send into space? This investigation lets high school students determine objectives and conduct research on the effects of microgravity, radiation, and space flight on various materials. The students are given 20 vials and allowed to select items to go into them. They choose everything from seeds to chicken bones, copper, plastic, human hair, and brine shrimp eggs, using the items to test hypotheses on seed growth after microgravity exposure, how materials protect against radiation exposure, and survival rates of microscopic life forms. Eleven schools and 300 students developed experiments for the first group of vials sent into space and returned to the students for analysis.

The following content was provided by Ruthan Lewis, Ph.D., and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Provide student opportunities to conduct research on the effects of microgravity, radiation, and space flight on various materials.

Research objectives for each experiment are determined by the students, but generally include hypothesis on changes in the selected materials due to the space environment.

Students are provided "Space Capsules" to contain passive test articles for flight. The capsules are then packed in satchels (10 per satchel) which contain special formed foam layers for flight.

Description
The Space Experiment Module (SEM) provided high
school students with an opportunity to conduct research
on the effects of microgravity, radiation, and space flight on
various materials. Research objectives for each experiment
were determined by students but generally include
hypotheses on changes in selected materials due to the space
environment. This was achieved by providing students space
capsules that contained passive test articles for flight. These
capsules were clear, sealable polycarbonate vials, 1 inch in
diameter and 3 inches in depth. The vials were packed in
satchels (20 per satchel) that contain special formed foam
layers for flight.

Students selected the items that were contained inside the vials. Some of
the items included seeds, such as corn, watermelon, cucumber, beans,
peas, and several other vegetables. Additional items included materials,
such as wool, Kevlar, silk, ultraviolet beads, chicken bones, copper,
plastic, dextrose, yeast, over-the-counter medications, human hair, mineral samples, light bulbs, and brine shrimp
eggs. Many students tested seed growth after microgravity exposure; other students tested how materials protect
against radiation exposure and survival rates of microscopic life forms.

Space Applications
SEM introduces the concept of space-based scientific experiments to the next generation.

Earth Applications
Eleven schools are running experiments on the first Space Experiment Module (SEM) satchel flight. The experiments are contained in clear polycarbonate vials. These vials are also flown in passive (no power required) SEM experiment modules. Students create their own experiments, and consider such variables as space radiation, microgravity and launch environment. SEM is educating and inspiring the next generation to take the journey.

Operational Requirements
On orbit the satchels are placed in passive stowage on the ISS for one stage. At some point during the stage, a crew member will remove the satchels and - using a video camera - will take videos of the experiment capsules and describe their contents and student interests. These videos will be down-linked to the ground for use by the students in their analysis.

Eleven schools and 300 students developed experiments for SEM Satchel 001. The satchel was launched during ISS Expedition 10 in December 2004 and returned to Earth on Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-114) in August 2005. The sample vials were returned to the students for analysis. (Evans et al. 2009)